Shirley C. Byrnes

June 24, 1932 - January 18, 2021

Shirley C. Byrnes, 88, Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, January 18, 2021. Shirley was born on June 24, 1932, in Osage City, Kansas, the only child of Bill and Bess Cleland. She lived in many places as a child, as her father moved about the country as federal bank auditor. Shirley often spent summers with her grandparents, Lolly and Papa Frank of Hoyt, Kansas. She attended Kansas State University where she met and married Tom O’Boyle. Shirley graduated and was married in 1953. They had three children, Terry, Randy and Kathleen. Shirley moved around the Midwest with her husband, raising the kids and teaching, while he coached football. In 1967, she divorced and moved to Topeka. She married her life-long love, Jim Byrnes in 1969 and settled into a wonderful life in Topeka. Shirley had a tremendous love of American history and taught that subject at various Topeka schools including Jardine Junior high and later at Seaman High School. She loved Mt. Vernon and everything about George and Martha Washington, making many trips to see their house. Shirley was a world traveler and dragged Jim along on as many trips as she could. When he wouldn’t go, Shirley found ways to go without him, usually taking along Kathleen or Terry. Her dear friend, Joyce DeCoursey, helped her get a part-time job as a secret traveler for TWA, where she traveled the world, evaluating cabin crew service. Shirley later took a job with Washburn University and worked in their business programs office where, among other things, she was in charge of arranging and hosting many guest speakers for their programs. This was a job Shirley truly loved. Shirley could have been a twin of Lucille Ball. Her life seemed like a never- ending episode of I Love Lucy. Shirley loved westies and could always be found walking around their neighborhood on Oakley Ave with a westie in tow. She loved her only grandson Conor O’Boyle, who thought grandma was a real hoot. Shirley and Jim were very social and loved their friends in Topeka - the DeCoursey’s, Evan’s, Reardon’s and Pope’s to name a few. They loved their neighborhood friends and their Most Pure Heart of Mary community. Shirley is survived by her son, Randy O'Boyle; daughter, Kathleen Hershner; grandson, Conor O'Boyle; and her cousin, Beth, who was like a little sister to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jim, and child, Terry O'Boyle. Her arrangements are being handled by the Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Shirley wished to be cremated and buried with Jim at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at MountVernon.org or sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.